Top 5 Interior Decorating And Art Trends For 2008

Pamela Smith, one of the top experts in the quickly rising field of interior redesign, discusses having the proper perspective on trends:

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"Are trends merely a designer's opinion of what's in fashion, or are they important style markers that add continuity to our lives? When asking for a definition of the word "trend," my guess is most would say it means transitory - like lava lamps and shag carpeting. However, I imagine trends as sturdier stuff, based on finding beautiful and appropriate core-enhancers for a home. Your home shouldn't be all about changing styles for change's sake. Trends are about adding in fresh pieces that solidify the layers around the core.

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"Updating your home with stylish, new furnishings has never been easier. There is such a wide array of styles available you're sure to find several to suit your home's décor. Whether you prefer ultra-sophisticated, nature-inspired, Zen influence, or country cozy, each of these styles shows up as a trend in 2008. It's an effortless way to redesign."

Top Five Interior Decorating and Art Trends for 2008 Decorating your home is easier once you have decided on your art decorating style. This year's hot trends in interior decorating and design feature natural elegance coupled with striking statements. Art and wall décor are major factors in 2008 and their successful use really sets the tone and standard for the rest of a room. Follow these decorating tips to set your interior wall décor apart from the rest. You will notice trends that pair contrasting elements, colors and styles together in a way that creates a harmonious and peaceful experience.

With the Olympics being held in China this year, look for global inspirations to influence several decorating trends in 2008 including prevalent uses of Eastern, Asian and Moroccan styles. Zen inspired decoration is also prevalent in 2008 to help create a balanced and peaceful interior. Below are the top five interior decorating ideas for 2008 that are sure to help guide how you think and respond to art.

Natural Inspiration The natural look of wood, metal and other elements found throughout nature is a huge interior decorating trend for 2008. Look for gentle greens, earthy browns, rustic silvers, brushed coppers, sky blues, golden yellows and other nature-inspired colors that will add warmth to your interior décor. Look for artwork that pairs the earth-inspired colors with a darker natural touch; artwork that features soft subtle colors accented with dark, woodsy and metallic looking frames.

Contrasting Colors Look for colors that complement each other in a distinct way. Be careful though not to go overboard with too many colors that would distract more than attract. A delicate balance provides a striking appearance. Softer hues of white and ivory contrasted with rich tones and bright accents. Think soft colors with timely bursts of flare; Asian influences will permeate the color combinations throwing in bright reds, oranges and yellows amongst the darker, softer and muted colors. Look for art trends to find a successful balance of both worlds: soft with hints of bold.

Texture The ability to feel what you see is an important trend for interior décors in 2008. Mixing textures enhances the visual impact and adds a sense of completeness to other popular interior decorating trends for 2008. Think contrasting natural colors and textures in a way that adds luxury in a very dramatic way. Mixing traditional, ornate frames with contemporary and modern art trends is also an excellent way to enhance the harmonizing textured appearance. Look for wrapped or framed canvas artwork that enhances not only your walls but also your entire interior décor.

Simple and Sophisticated Veer away from gaudy and overdone. Luxury no longer means more but rather simple and concise. 2008 decorating styles feature simple statements that enhance the feeling of tranquility. Creating a harmonious atmosphere that inspires peace is also a very popular trend this year. Homes and the décor used are becoming so much more than just a dwelling but should inspire a sense of sanctuary. Keep in mind, simplicity is not minimalism. Think using one word where others would use three; a sophistication of style, simple and relaxing, not cluttered and chaotic. Look for artwork that calms but is not lifeless; everything from landscapes to abstracts should gently inspire rather than confusedly complicate.

Top 5 Interior Decorating And Art Trends For 2008

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Wedding Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd

We all know that weddings can be stressful and shortly after the proposal happens, the wedding planning begins. With all that must be done in planning your ceremony and wedding reception, a wonderful respite from the hectic planning is an engagement party. A time to get together so that the people close to you and your groom-to-be get to know the others' circle of friends and family.

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In earlier times, parents of the bride and groom arranged the engagement party, but of course this tradition has been diluted over time and now couples choose to host their own parties. This gives them ample opportunity to break away from the customary, arrange for a themed party, or even a fancy dress party with some fun theme that is a favorite with the both of you. Wedding themes can range from a special movie you both like, to a certain time period, or even a wine and cheese party that is formal if you like "proper" parties. Print coordinated invitations and if you don't want gifts, be sure to include that in your invitation. Arrange for fun-filled games and give away prizes and wedding favors matching with your theme. Have a wild blast and share your joy with others with these engagement party ideas.

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Do you and your groom like the movies? Then have a special screening of your favorite movie. Arrange for popcorn and candy and you can give away movie tickets or movie collectibles as party favors. You can also give out printed posters of the movie as your invitations. Have a movie trivia quiz and maybe even ask your friends to dress as their favorite character in the film. For example, choosing a romantic, wedding themed comedy is a good option to entertain your guests.

If you have access to a pool then you can definitely have a pool party. This is especially a great option if the weather is warmer and your friends can enjoy cocktails and pool games as well as enjoy splashing about in the water and cooling off. Have an open poolside barbeque and dish out the fare along with party music for a truly wonderful engagement party that will wash away all your guests' inhibitions as they enjoy themselves. Having a beach themed party with beach favors is a wonderful option too.

If you and your bride or groom really love the 60's and 70's and the disco movement, then you can rent a disco ball and bring out your flared pants and get geared to trip the light fantastic with a live DJ and serve cool mixed drinks and have lava lamps in your décor and give out glow bracelets as your party favors. If you are having an all adult party, you can also have hookahs with flavored tobacco.

Finally, whatever you decide, make sure you have fun and have a ball, but just see that you go along with what kind of a wedding you want and your personal style. So, balance a very formal wedding with a semi-formal engagement party with elegant party favors.

Wedding Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd

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Memories Are Made Of This : The Golden Years of The Sixties Music Revolution

I suppose my first realisation that music was something more relevant than learning the words to carols for the school Christmas concert was appreciating my Dad's collection of 78s'. He was a man with unusual tastes in music. My contemporys' parents listened to American crooners, like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and the like, or the big band sounds of the day.

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But my Dad had individual tastes which included Eastern European folk music, Scottish bagpipe ballads and Welsh miners choirs; plus my first introduction to classical such as exciting pieces like Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance".

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My Mother, a dedicated Crosby fan, disliked these strange sounds to the extent that she banished any playing of the 'caterwauling' to our barn, a large wooden structure at the back of the house. This suited my Dad, and me, just fine.

He would mend bikes and tinker with machinery in one corner, while I would curl up on a battered leather sofa looking at pictures in old movie magazines, giggling at jokes in back copies of Lilliput and reading girlie type books (Little Women, Black Beauty etc.) while the haunting strains of Bulgarian womens' voices, Highland airs or the overwhelming sound of Welshmen giving it their all emanated from the old wind up gramaphone; memories are made of this.

Musically I've come full circle. With the increasing popularity of 'world music' I am, once again, enjoying Bulgarian women's harmonies and Welsh folk songs along with the exciting newcomers from African and Latin American roots.

Every generation, mostly, think that they have experienced the 'best' period of topical music, but I do feel that the sixties were a special case. Consider this; any weekend my friends and I had a difficult decision to make. Did we go 'up town' to Ken Colliers to see American blues stars like Big Bill Broonzy or jazz giants like Dizzy Gillespie; or perhaps to the Marquee or 100 Club to listen to the up and coming Britishers like Paul Weller in the Jam, Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds and Georgie Fame with the All Stars.

Or did we stay closer to home and go to the Riki Tik in Windsor and risk asphyxiation in the tiny room listening to an exciting new group called the Rolling Stones. And that was only the start; what about Osterley where you could hear John Lee Hooker, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and any number of other Southern American blues stars; or Windsor Drill hall where, on a Friday night you could enjoy the best of Cyril Davies and the All Stars, which usually featured one of my favourites, Long John Baldry.

And, if you were willing to risk parental wrath, it had to be Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, a den of iniquity where you could hear the best of new rhythm and blues; smell strange substances burning in the air and where I first encountered psychadelia in the shape of Pink Floyd whose innovative light shows of coloured lava lamp blobs popping and forming ever different shapes were the precursor of the giant video screens of today. To say we were spoilt for choice is not to overwork a phrase.

I haven't even mentioned the many folk clubs sprinkled about which I visited with my friend Lucy as a guest singing duo, where we shared stages with the likes of Bert Jantz, Duster Bennett, Cat Stevens . . We would travel to isolated venues in the heart of the Berkshire countryside and find ourselves in a barn somewhere, with people sitting on hay bales and listening to the stirring voices and lyrics of Sandy Denny, Davy Graham and John Remborne, or even the Wurzels (bring your own cider!).

If you wanted to dance, but strictly not ballroom, you could stomp the night away at a selection of 'trad jazz' clubs. Bands of various styles were always on tap; Dick Morrisey, the aforementioned Ken Collier, Acker Bilk; It really was a golden age for live music of every kind. And it didn't cost an arm and a leg to indulge yourself. If we paid more than a couple of quid to get in we felt hard done by. Even special occasions, like seeing the Who or Cream at the Hammersmith Odeon were cheap at the price.

Wherever we hung out with our mates there was music. This was the age of the coffee bar, always with a juke box in the corner belting out such classics as 'Dock on the Bay', or Buddy Holly's latest or Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Biaz; where to stop! Before the fashion for 'personalised music' (catered for firstly by the Walkman and now in it's newest incarnation, the ipod) the latest tunes brought like minds together. A normal Saturday outing was to the local record shop where friends would crowd into a booth together to hear the latest in the 'charts'.

Maybe it was all just 'fashion' but, as the years race by, that sixties music has stood the test of time. Many of our heroes are still household names. Our children still appreciate such giants as Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding. The likes of Paul Weller, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones still tour all over the world. Am I showing my age when I find it hard to appreciate modern day offerings? Of course I am but no more than any other person who has let music into their life.

From the moment the first cave man (or woman) discovered how to make musical 'sounds' from reeds or rocks, water or wood, we have enjoyed the privilege of a great gift. How to explain the catch at the back of the throat when we hear a familiar song or melody? How to describe the pure feeling of exhilaration and joy as many human voices come together to sing some particularly uplifting work. I dare anyone to say they have never felt that. And if some hardened souls insist that is the case; well I feel very sorry for them.

Memories Are Made Of This : The Golden Years of The Sixties Music Revolution

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Design Ideas For Decorating A Small Teen's Bedroom

For your teenager to have their own special sanctuary, there's nothing like your teens bedroom so it's not a surprise you want it to have top notch decorating style. However when you room is very small, it might be an arduous task to get it to looking fabulous. Thankfully, there are a lot of interior decorating methods you can use to make decorating a small teens bedroom easy!

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One thing you should do is be positive to find a room design that makes the most out of tiny spaces. Too much clutter will make your teens bedroom seem tiny so hold off adding a lot of accessories and make sure you have sufficient storage to put stuff away.

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Another consideration for decorating a small teens bedroom is to be mindful of where the pieces are going to be arranged in the room. You could consider the ideas of Feng Shui when arranging the furniture in your teens bedroom. Easy access into a room can make it look more spacious, so try and keep your furniture away from the doorways. Also, if you do choose a larger piece of furniture, such as a chair or loft bed, for example, it will be able to help to divert guests attention that way hence making the room seem larger in the bargain.

Think of furniture and accessories you could add to your decorating theme which will help to maximize space in the teens bedroom. A modernized design could be ideal, since this tends to highlight space and living area, in lieu of many accessories fighting to occupy the same area. Only be sure you decorate with a decorating theme you can live with as this is an important room for both you and your teen.

Pick the color palette for the teens bedroom wisely since various colors could help make it appear more open. If you always believed that you had to paint your spacially challenged rooms white, then here is some colorful news for you. If you don't want drab paint that is boring, go for having a monochromatic decorating scheme in a beautiful color, or match a few colors which all give off equal intensity. You might go subtle with a blue color palette, or if you wish more color consider brown and pumpkin that all have identical intensity and tone. Painting the wall opposite the entrance a deep hue will cause it to feel further away, thus adding depth to the room. Pale tones will recede, thus making the room feel bigger and blueish gray is a great general hue for a small room. But if that sounds too dull, don't worry as cool colors such as greens, blues and purples also recede so you can have your gorgeous colors without making the room feel smaller.

When it comes to putting furniture in the room, stick to small or medium sized pieces. Using a loft bed with desk underneath, rather than separate bed and desk, might make a lot of difference in space, yet still allow your teen to sleep and do homework. All small scaled pieces could be monotonous and you may want to add interest by using a couple of bigger pieces, so even though you might choose to go with the small bureaus, match it with a large poster or chair, it could also add bit of zip to the room.

These methods allow decorating a small teens bedroom to be easy as well as effortless. Use your imagination and you'll have a small teens bedroom which is big on charm in no time.

Design Ideas For Decorating A Small Teen's Bedroom

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Tips on Choosing Toys for Children With Special Needs

Choosing toys for children can be very difficult as we all know. We long for the gift to be a source of pleasure but realize how easy it is to miss the mark. The recipients level of maturity both physically and intellectually, interests and safety have always to be borne in mind, even more so when the recipient has special needs.

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The festive season is a time of year when large numbers of people will be looking for gifts for children who may have special needs. Parents will recognize which toys are suitable without much difficulty but there may be many relatives and friends who would appreciate a few guidelines.

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We need to acknowledge the important role of play in a child's life. Years ago my now grown up children were playing in our garden in Nigeria. A woman passing-by, stopped and watched them for a moment then turned to me and said "Play is children's work". Clearly she was a person of great insight and understanding.

Play allows young children to learn and mature on physical, emotional, mental and social levels. Toys can improve problem solving skills or encourage play at a higher level. Some toys encourage movement and exploration such as climbing and riding toys. These physical activities develop strong muscles for walking, running and sport.

Other toys such as rattles, hand puppets and musical toys will encourage the development of fine motor and hand skills and increase freedom of movement. Games and role playing encourage children to play together and through these activities they learn about co-operation and sharing. Two very important skills necessary for building friendships.

Yet other toys help to increase awareness of people, places and things. Dolls, stuffed animals, puppets, vehicles and dolls houses have a role to play here. The last two are very good ways to introduce the child with special needs to various aspects of every day life and the jobs that people do at home and at work.

When choosing a toy for a child with special needs the following factors must be carefully considered:

Is it safe for that child's intellectual age, well constructed and durable?

Is it appealing and interesting to the child

Is it right for the child's physical capabilities?

Is it suited to the child's mental and social development? The toy should not

Be fragile or breakable . Have any toxic materials

Have sharp edges or points.

Be so small that it can get stuck in windpipe, ears or nostrils. Remember that some children with special needs explore objects by "mouthing" them.

Have small detachable parts.

Have any parts that could pinch fingers, toes or get entangled in hair . Have been put together with exposed straight pins, sham wires or nails.

Have electrical parts, unless it is to be closely supervised by an adult.

These are all crucial considerations when making a choice.

Toys fall into numerous categories for example:

ACTIVE PLAY

Push and Pull toys

Ride-On toys

Outdoor and Gym Equipment

Sports Equipment

MANIPULATIVE PLAY

Construction toys

Puzzles

Pattern Making toys

Dressing, Lacing and Stringing Toys

Sand and Water Play toys.

MAKE-BELIEVE PLAY

Dolls

Stuffed toys

Puppets

Role Play Materials

Play Scenes

Transportation toys

Projectile toys e.g toy guns, bows and arrows

CREATIVE PLAY

Musical Instruments

Art and Craft Materials

Audio-Visual Equipment

LEARNING PLAY

Games

Specific Skill Development toys

Books

It can be very difficult choosing toys and other presents for children with Sensory Processing Disorders such as autism, ADD, ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. They tend to be "under-responsive" to sensation. They need intense experiences of touch, texture, smell, sound, pressure, speed and balance.Children with Sensory Processing Disorders love sound effects, repeatedly pushing buttons to hear the sound effects again and again. They may become overexcited and unable to wind down.

Puppets help the children to discover the meaning of words and pictures. Speak through an eye-catching puppet and watch as communication, eye contact and emotion emerge.Children with autism need a great deal of help to progress from stereotyped repetitive play to that which originates and evolves from their own imagination. Pretend play often develops as they imitate others who show them how to play.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME TOY SUGGESTIONS;

Beanbag Chairs, Barrels

Balance Beams, Tunnels, Tents, Ladders

Rocker Boards, Sit-n-Spin, Rocking Horse

Tactile Flash Cards, Chewable Toys, Textured Books Foam Blocks, Puzzles

Silly Putty, Playdough, Brushes

Musical Instruments

Pencil Grips, Vibrating Pens

Heavy Stuffed Animals

Body Sox, weighted Blankets, Lap Pads

Therapy Balls, Balls with Texture, Bean Bags to toss

Wings, Slide, Trampoline, Hammock. Scooters, Sand Box

Aromatherapy Diffuser, Lava Lamp, Massagers

THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED CHILD WOULD BENEFIT FROM TOYS SUCH AS:

Overhead Gym

Word, Sound and Music-Makers

Toys with realistic sounds and figures

Toys that move when touched

Mirrored toys

Toys with high contrast colors, patterns or lights

Toys that magnify

Textured Surfaces which feel different

Toys with different areas, e.g dials, buttons, knobs

THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILD WILL BENEFIT AND HOPEFULLY ENJOY TOYS WHICH:

Combine auditory feedback with visual, touch and movement sensations

Toys with high-pitched or low base sounds

Toys with a volume control

Toys that are visually interesting and/or offer different sound feedback

Toy parts that visually direct a child to the ways they can be used

Toys with realistic actions figures and sounds.

CHILDREN WHO HAVE TROUBLE MANIPULATING OBJECTS NEED

Toys with knobs, levers, buttons, switches and holes for exploring and manipulating

Toys that encourage exploration of visual details and textures

Toys that respond to manipulation with visual and or sound feedback

Toys that require little pressure or accuracy to manipulate or activate.

Toys with multiple access areas that result in different things happening.

Toys do not necessarily have to be bought from companies which specialize in special needs requirements. Many similar items can be bought cheaper from high street stores. Ordinary toys can be adapted with a little ingenuity. As one wise mother wrote "The best gifts are of the heart, which means a gift of time. Record your voice or a familiar voice reading a favorite book" But whatever present you give, give it with love!

Tips on Choosing Toys for Children With Special Needs

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Decorate Ikea Style Furniture With Wall Decals and Wall Stickers

The beauty of using decals to decorate Ikea furniture includes:

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Easy to apply the decal to the Ikea furniture Removing the designer graphics is easy when it comes time to sell You can change decals regularly depending on the style or season Decals are washable which makes cleaning the Ikea surface simple 
How to choose the right designer wall decals and wall stickers for your furniture?
 
Size: We recommend choosing smaller "kits" of decals to apply to the item. You could have a theme, or multiple smaller decals. This will make application of surface graphic easier.
 
Finish: Decals come in gloss or matte. By choosing decals with a matt finish, you will achieve a hand painted "mural" type look. When choosing gloss you are looking for a statement. Our preference is matt, but the great thing about decals- they promote individuality- so go for it and match your style.
 
Colour: The same principles of using colour in interior design apply to decal accessories. Either choose neutral colours, complimenting colours that suit the rest of the colour scheme or contrasting colours if they work well with your décor.
 
            Another consideration is that decals can look awesome in the SAME colour as the Ikea furniture item. For example, if you have a white Ikea bookshelf. Purchasing a decal in white gloss will contrast the texture and catch any available light in the room.
 
            Similarly, if you have a shiny silver table, using a metallic silver designer decal on the surface will look absolutely amazing.
 
Ideas for decals for Ikea furniture:
 
There are hundreds of ideas for using wall decals or surface graphics on modern furniture. Don't be limited by this list, but let it inspire you to achieve great heights in decorating your interiors.
 
Ikea Chairs
Apply word decals to the back or seat of the chair. Words such as FRIENDS, LAUGH. EAT, DRINK. Apply designs to the back or seat of the chair. Fancy being king or queen for a day, place a crown shape decal on the back of the chair. 
Ikea Tables
Our favourite fun decal is to apply a table setting in vinyl to the top of the dining table. The table setting can incorporate placemat, knife, fork, spoon, glass. These can be either traditional ornate settings or modern simplistic decal settings. Block words. Place blocks of words, some upside down, sideways, etc on the table so people can read upside down. 
Ikea Bookshelves
Not enough books? For a fun and interesting idea, use a wall decal to decorate the back of the bookshelf. Either straight on the wall or use the decal directly on the Ikea furniture. Bring nature into the home by draping a wall decal vine over the side of the decal IKEA bookshelf. 
Kitchens
Use a breakfast bench as a canvas and you can use wallquotes or wall decals to decorate the side of it. Place your favourite wall quote across the front of Ikea kitchen cupboards. Go retro, with decals of 60s cocktail glasses and shakers lined across the front of a glasses storage cupboard. 
Bathrooms
Make your shower a statement with a wall decal of Medusa style hair wrapping around the shower frame. Or simply go natural with an Ivy vine. White Ikea cabinets can be decorated with rustic wall decals that are fun for bathrooms. Or go French and set a Parisian decal theme. Place an Eiffel Tower wall decal on the wall behind the mirror, or on the bathroom door. Don't forget that wall decals are waterproof and weather resistant, so you can decorate the inside of bathtubs and showers with decal designs. 
Ikea Bedroom Furniture
Disguise the study desk in the corner of the bedroom by giving it either wild animal stripes, a flower explosion or just use simple circle shapes to decorate the Ikea desk. Wall decals are a fun way of dressing up an Ikea mirror. Choose either a selection of emotive wall quotes or simply decorate the edges with the name of capital cities around the world for a more cosmopolitan feel. 
There are plenty of great ideas for decorating Ikea furniture using wall decals, so get designing today and remember- wall stickers are removable so you can change your look anytime!
 
Decorating for the obligation phobic!

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Decorate Ikea Style Furniture With Wall Decals and Wall Stickers

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Themed Bedroom Ideas That Can Grow With Your Little Girl

As a parent, how to decorate your child's room is one of the tough decisions you have to make. She might love Dora the Explorer today, but it's not likely that she'll want cartoons on her walls forever. You could end up spending a ton of money redecorating every year or two if you don't think ahead. Here are seven theme ideas for girls' rooms that can grow with her over the years, saving you money.

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Princess

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All little girls love to be princesses - and teens like to act like them too. Take a more mature approach to it from the start. Chose a subdued pink and pair it with browns to give the room a Victorian look. Canopy beds are regal, but they can be expensive. Instead, go for a smaller, removable net canopy, which attaches to the ceiling via a ring and only flows over the head of the bed. Use gold touches to finish the room with an elegant feel, and display princess toys that your child has until she outgrows them.

Garden

Instead of painting cartoon flowers and bumble bees all over the walls, which can be fun for a toddler but overwhelming for a teenager, try using real flowers (or silk flowers if you don't have a green thumb) on shelves that are out of reach of tiny hands. Use natural colors, like greens and browns, for painting and sheer curtains to let in as much light as possible. Keep the artwork on the walls whimsical enough for a children's room - like pictures of fairies or butterflies - yet sophisticated enough for teens; skip the cartoons and look for prints of paintings.

Retro

Creating a retro room for your daughter can be fun, but don't go too crazy with the flower power and smiley faces! Instead, stick to using colors that were popular in the 1960s and add fun touches like beaded curtains, printed rugs, and beanbag chairs. Use a lava lamp as a nightlight and stick to fabrics in funky prints, like paisley.

Paris

Pink French poodles and polka dots look cute in a little girls' room, and it is actually fairly easy to take that style idea and make it appropriate for any age group. Start with color - a Parisian themed room should have elements of black, pink, white, and tan. Stuffed poodles can easily be replaced on shelves with more sophisticated dcor, such as an Eiffel Tower replica or French country prints. Add mirrors and sconces to the walls (out of reach of small children of course) and for the furniture, think wrought iron and wood painted white or cream and distressed.

Celestial

Girls can love sciences and technology as much as boys, so why not choose a celestial outer space theme for your child? Use navy-colored paint to give the illusion of a night sky and glow-in-the-dark stars that can be removed if she no longer likes them when she's older. To give the room a girl's touch, use celestial sun, moon, and star accent pieces and pretty cloud or sunset artwork.

Beach

Tropical themed bedrooms are always a hit for kids, but creating an island paradise that will still be appropriate when your toddler is a teen can be challenging. Subtlety is key here. Use beach colors like aqua and blue for the walls or furniture and instead of carpeting, go for a wood floor that gives the room a more beach bungalow feel. For small children, use some tropical-inspired rugs to make the play surface safer, and use shells and hibiscus flowers to complement your design. You can also use bamboo and wicker for furniture and blinds in the room, and frame artwork featuring mermaids, dolphins, and sailboats for the walls.

Hollywood Glitz

Most young girls love to play dress up, and teens may also be very into fashion. A Hollywood glitz and glam room can be great for themed bedrooms. Instead of a traditional dresser, chose a vanity, which your daughter will appreciate when she's in high school, and instead of a wallpaper border, string white Christmas lights around the room that can be kept up all year. Use clear beads that give the illusion of diamonds in the window treatment and for a chandelier-like lighting fixture and add a few touches of animal prints in pillows, throw rugs, etc. for a little fun.

Remember, your toddle may not grow up to like the style you chose, so be prepared for your tomboy teen to hate her garden-inspired room or your cheerleader to have an issue with the beach theme you picked. The good news is that no matter what theme you use today, if you switch out the accessories, she'll love it tomorrow. Avoid huge decor choices that are hard to change, because you want her room to grow with her tastes.

Themed Bedroom Ideas That Can Grow With Your Little Girl

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Style For a Teen Girls Room

Having a teen ager can be hard. They want a unique room but you are thinking that they are not going to be home much longer, how I can do the room and not ruin the room. Let me help you with that.

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Lets talk about a teen girls room. Girls seem to want more in their room. A great way to add design to the room is to place new curtains and rugs into the room. Adding new bedding to the room or adding many pillows to the bed in the theme is a great way to bring it into the room. You do not have to paint the walls or put up a wild wall paper. A great way to add a little design is to add stickable things to the wall. Such as round circles that are removable. The bright colors of these circles are very in right now. They are easy to remove and fun.

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Also adding fun painted furniture is fun. You can purchase some of the plastic furniture for a great price. Painting them with bright colors or painting cat stripes on them is a great way to keep the theme in the room at a low expense. These item work great for the end tables by the bed or a table for the stereo. Let the teen paint them and they love them even more.

Using candles in these rooms is also fun. Make sure they are placed in sand in case they are left unattended, but they can add atmosphere to the room. Teens can learn to tend to candles and they love the atmosphere they give off. Also adding fun lighting can also be done with low expense. A cool lava lamp or one with a wild shade to match the décor can add a lot of style to the room. Having fun at a low expense and the teen can have a room they love to spend time in. What more could you ask for, but for them to want to stay home.

Style For a Teen Girls Room

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Masculine and Stylish Wall Decorating Ideas For a Guy's Den

All of us need a place where we can just be ourselves and shut away the rest of the world. If you have a spare room in your house, why not consider turning it into your own private den? Most guys love to have their own getaway place, simply to chill out or catch up with life.

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A den should be an extension of your personality and shouldn't be about showing it off to other people. Close ones should see shades and splashes of you and your likes in your den. So where do you start?

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Dressing Up the Room

First visualize how you want the room to look. If you already know what kind of furniture you want to have, then deciding the color of your walls as well as other unique wall decorating ideas will be a lot easier. A guy's room should be a balanced blend of both personality and masculinity. Painting each wall in different shades that merge well together is a good way to give the room a bright bold look. Walls with wooden panels and textured floors to match look great as well, and if you prefer carpets, then match the carpet shade to the wall paint. If your furniture is dark in color then it's preferable to have light shades on the wall or the room will look too flashy. The furniture you place in the room depends on how you to plan to use the room. A computer table, a chair and a bookcase are ideal for creating a study. A few bean bags, comfortable sofas, a small coffee table and a couple of shelves or cabinets will complete the room. That way, you won't be short on storage space, and entertaining friends won't be a problem Empty walls make a room look bare so come up with some original and interesting wall decorating ideas. For example, consider putting up a few home décor wall accessories such as metal wall hangings, paintings or even a wine rack. Ideally, the lighting in the room should be neither too dim nor too bright. Simple wall sconces will do the trick. Lamps can enhance the look of a place too. Lava lamps, UFO lamps, lamps with patterns and themed wallpaper lamps with a beach or sports theme will look just as great.

Adding your Personal Touch

Now comes the fun part! After the basic interior is done, its time to decide on the theme.

If you love golf, why not opt for wall murals with gold course patterns on them, and a matching green carpet on the floor? A few trophies, books on golf, framed posters of golf players, a display of your clubs on the wall, and even upholstery in a golf design, will complete the look. If sailing is your passion, how about a nautical theme for the room? You could opt for light blue wallpaper or use blue green, white or deep blue wall paint for a vibrant look. Framed pictures of the sea or a world political map on the wall, a painted rug in a sailboat shape, and light sheer drapes, will give the impression that you are at sea. Pillows, cushions and lamps can have nautical themes as well. Low furniture, a bench placed under a window and even a fish tank will complete the theme. For a sportier look, opt for a football themed room. You could dress the room up in the colors of your favorite team, and display various memorabilia of your team as well. Choose neutral colored wall paint or put up wallpaper featuring the logo of your team on one wall. Clocks, plaques, posters, canvases and even wall sconces featuring individual players or the team can brighten up the room. Add a creative touch with cushions that resemble a football, or upholstery with black and white patterns, and rugs that are cut out in the shape of a football. Add more personal touches to your room, if you feel a theme could limit your creativity. How about putting up movie posters, framed certificates, a few photo frames and a painting or two on the walls? Figures of movie characters, assembled kit cars and souvenirs from trips will look great on wall shelves, your table or on a book shelf.

If you have a favorite sport, here are some additional wall decorating ideas:

Display your base ball kit, hang your favourite racquet on the wall, keep your pair of skates in a corner of the room or hang a basket ball hoop on an empty wall. Also consider keeping a small liquor cabinet and a mini fridge if you plan to entertain your buddies and maybe some business associates.

So now that your private den is all set, you're ready to kick back and spend some quality time with just yourself as well as having a cozy spot to invite your buddies for a few pops and some friendly fun guy chit chat and lots of laughter.

Masculine and Stylish Wall Decorating Ideas For a Guy's Den

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Blast From the Past Disco Party

A disco party is a totally awesome way to get down and get funky. Put on your threads; your disco dresses, platform shoes, and leisure suits. Decorate with bean bags and lava lamps. Hang beaded curtains and psychedelic disco posters. Light the incense and candles. Have a disco dance video playing on your television, and add a glittery disco ball for added sparkle disco party style!

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Once you have decided how many chicks and dudes you want to invite to your disco party, create your own disco mirrored ball invitations on the computer using your color printer. Include pictures of the disco clothing styles' people wore in the 70's; for those that never wore them, and to remind those that did. Award prizes for the best dressed authentic totally radical outfit.

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Your guests will love to boogie down under a disco ball to 70's artists like; Donna Summer, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang, and the Police, so, crank up the jams and get down. Show a video of several disco dances like the YMCA, the Disco Train and the Bump. Have a disco dance contest for the best performance of the Hustle.

With all the disco dancing going on, your guests will need plenty of food to eat, so you'll want to serve a variety of easy to eat finger foods that may be eaten between dances. Cheese fondue served with skewered meat or chunks of bread will always be popular, as well as veggie trays with ranch dip, and chips and onion dip. Pizza was a favorite then, as now.

This will be an event to remember for years to come, so take lots of pictures at your disco party. You can download and print your pictures to give to your guests as parting gifts.

Blast From the Past Disco Party

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Retro Decorating with a Modern Twist

No, it's definitely not old-fashioned! Retro decorating is back -- and in a big way! Bring your home to life with a cool swinging 60's or groovy 70's retro vibe.

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Retro really is the modern look right now. To get the look right, don't just go for a historically accurate replication -- go for a really modern twist - be retro inspired!

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What a great opportunity to scour eBay, charity shops and jumble sales -- or just rummage through your loft. You could find some really wonderful retro decorating treasures, and get a great bargain to boot! But don't worry, if you can't quite find that interesting family heirloom -- there are loads of retro-inspired goodies in stores right now.

A wonderful color to form the basis of any retro decorating scheme is brown. Choose any shade which you like, and which goes well in your room. Stick to the color rules -- paler colors for small rooms, and deep colors for larger spaces -- that is, unless you are after a really dramatic 70's look -- a deep chocolate brown is a gorgeously retro shade!

Paint is a great way to introduce a touch of brown into your color scheme -- wallpaper is even better! Look out for retro-inspired wallpapers -- choose bold, geometric patterns, such as lines, stripes, squares and circles. You want to make a really bold statement with your retro wallpaper -- it should be the main focal point of your retro decorating scheme.

While brown is a great basis for your retro decorating scheme, you really need to add an accent color -- to bring a real 'zing' of life into your room. Try orange, lime green, teal or turquoise, for a great retro feel.

You should try to keep your retro decorating quite simple -- definitely nothing too fussy! You want to make a bold, dramatic statement with vibrant colors and bold shapes.

This holds true for your choice of furniture design too -- the form and shape of your furniture should be kept simple -- but beautiful at the same time! Look out for retro design classics -- lovely, sweeping curves and a strong outline. Think classic, Scandinavian-inspired design, or the famous 'Egg' chair. Choose mid to dark toned, wood pieces for your furniture, a simple white, or go for a head-turning, retro, vibrant orange.

Your lighting is actually a very important factor to consider to get the retro feel right on trend. A pull-down pendant-light, in a retro-inspired shade would work really well.

Think carefully about your mood lighting too -- there are plenty of opportunities here, to get that retro feel just right. It is really important to create that relaxed, mellow vibe in your room -- creating a warm, orange glow is a great way to get the look. A simple orange plastic or acrylic shade, on a neutral lamp base would look great. Or, try rattan or basket weave lampshades.

You can't possibly do without that ultimate retro classic -- the lava lamp!

Your flooring should be kept nice and neutral, with so many bright colors around -- accessorize with a white, fluffy, sheepskin or flokati rug. Texture is a great retro trend, so make the most of it to get your retro look -- add plenty of fluffy, faux-fur throws and cushions. These will give your room a really warm, comfortable and cozy feel.

Choose some simple, retro-style accessories for that perfect finishing touch.

Wow!

So, what are you waiting for -- it's back to the future -- with a modern, retro look!

Be inspired by retro decorating for an ultra-modern trend. Make a retro statement, and you will soon see that wow factor in your own home.

Retro Decorating with a Modern Twist

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Kids Bedrooms Are Easy to Transform

There are many ways to decorate your kid's rooms and add a fresh touch to their space. By using removable decals, wall art or utilizing cool lighting and kid's furniture, you can allow a unique space to take shape with very little effort.

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Removable Decals - One cool, innovative product that has taken wall papering to a new level is removable decals. These are great for kid's rooms, nursery's and guest bedrooms. Decals are cleverly put together and easy to use, best of all you won't make a mistake. They come in a variety of themes and can be applied in minutes with no mess. All you do is unpeel the backing and stick to a wall, lamp, mirror or window. These are perfect for rental homes that don't allow permanent wall paper or for your growing kid's spaces. When she outgrows the theme simply unpeel the decal from the wall.

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Kids Wall Art - Wall art is another great solution for a plain wall. These are creative art works that will bring any kids bedroom to life. There are a great variety of pictures for baby's rooms and also great wall pictures for toddlers and teens. Usually, pictures are set in acrylic instead of glass for safety and they come with a hanging wire for easy placement on the wall.
Kids Wall Clocks - Another neat item to consider is a wall clock. Not just any wall clock but one that will add some style to your kid's rooms. There are wall clocks fit for baby's room and toddler bedrooms. Wall Clock with funky shapes and unique designs are perfect for your teens and tweens.

Kids lighting - Lighting your kids bedrooms don't have to be decorated with ordinary lamps and traditional lighting. Add cool lighting that will keep your kids from leaving their bedroom. Choose clever lamps that will leave your child saying "Awesome." And don't forget the funky and groovy lava Floor Lamps. Lighting this cool will have your kid's friends asking their parents for one.

Kids Furniture - Kids furniture provides the final touch to a great kid's room. There are furniture pieces that will match their themed room exactly and there are other furniture sets that will provide a good night's rest. Kids bunk beds are terrific space savers but are also great furniture to start an adventure. Some have all the elements of fun and amusement while other Bunk beds are classic and comfortable, the perfect bunk beds for older kids.

There are simple ways to bring the right atmosphere to your kid's rooms. It just takes a little imagination to get you started and a great product to help you finish.

Kids Bedrooms Are Easy to Transform

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Decorating a Romantic Room

Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture of elements that combine in such a way that they make both you and your partner feel comfortable and close. Some of these elements include lighting, color, decoration, and furniture. In order to develop a truly romantic space, you will have to experiment with different ideas, always paying close attention to your most subtle subconscious preferences and dislikes. Your goal is to find a design that makes you feel both relaxed and sexy. In this way you yourself will reinforce the intimate nature of the room, by the air you give off when you enter it. Others will pick up on this, and instantly feel at least some of the effect you are trying to achieve.

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If you have a significant other, you will want to incorporate their taste and feedback into the planning of the room. It is ok to occasionally spring a sexy surprise by redesigning the bedroom, but you have to be prepared for the eventuality that they are not going to be inspired by what you have done. Worse, the redesign may even make them uncomfortable. This is not a rejection of you, simply a matter of taste, and should only inspire you to work with them to achieve a room you both feel good in.

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Color

Color has a very strong and subtle effect on our minds. Just looking at colors can evoke powerful emotions in us. By carefully selecting the colors you use in the decoration of your bedroom, you can influence the undercurrents of mood in the space

Red is a very inspirational color that can evoke passion and desire. Adding a red comforter or some red pillows to your bed can sometimes serve to light a flame in your relationships. However, you should be careful not to let the fire get out of control. Red also evokes aggressiveness and anger. Those prone to such traits should avoid this color, especially in the bedroom.

Blues and greens are calming, intimate colors. Their use in a room may serve to create a feeling of ease. Green is also historically a color associated with fertility and marriage. In this way it may have a powerful potential to inspire passion in the collective unconscious of a person.

Some colors you will probably want to avoid in an intimate bedroom are white, grey, yellow, and pink. These colors can be used as accents, but their over use may lead to certain side effects that you would want to avoid. White and grey are considered to be very plain colors, and their predominance can create an almost trance like state for people in a room. Yellow in large doses can irritate eyes and cause nervousness. Pink will probably have a slightly beneficial effect subconsciously. Generally pink causes people to feel calmer, happier, and more romantic at a deep psychological level. However, due to societal associations this color has been very heavily tied in to females. This may cause a male in a relationship to feel uncomfortable in a room where this color is dominant. These are, of course, only loose guidelines, and you should refer to your own taste when making any decisions on which colors to choose in a setting.

Lighting

Lighting is an easy way to instantly set the mood in a room. Bright lighting can make a room feel open and happy, evoking invigorated feelings of excitement. However, if you are trying to create a romantic decor you are probably going to want to go in the opposite direction, towards dimmer more intimate mood lighting.

An easy cost effective way to introduce mood lighting into a setting is to install a dimmer switch. These are relatively easy to install yourself, although if you are at all unsure about your ability to do this it is best to hire an electrician. A dimmer switch allows you to make the decision as to whether you want the lighting to be romantic or exciting. In this way a mere flip of the switch can completely change the look and feel of a room

Some people may find colored lighting helps to create an intimate feel. Colored light bulbs can be bought at almost any novelty store and fit into most outlets. They are relatively inexpensive, so you can play around with a number of colors. Red or black is probably your best bet, as these lights will give the room a darker, sultrier feeling. Unlike with hard colors, green, and blue light can have the opposite of your intended effect, casting a sickly and distracting shade on the space. If you decide to use this method, play around with different colors, and don't tie yourself into any one. Leaving colored lighting on in a room constantly may cause eye irritation, so you probably want to make this a temporary change.

Specialty mood lights may be a better way to add colored light accents to a room. Onyx lamps range in color from orange to green, and give off only a gentle illumination. The soft, warm nature of this light tends to bath a space in intimacy. Lava lamps are another great accent light. The shapes and movements of the lava are sensual, and the light is subdued. They are a bit out dated, but in many ways retro décor is making a come back. If your space can pull off a lava lamp without looking silly, they can provide intimate and mesmerizing illumination to a room

Perhaps the simplest method for creating an intimately lighted atmosphere is with candles. Candles are very inexpensive, and come in a variety of colors and sizes. They provide understated light that flickers, making the space seem to move at each twist of the flame. Scented candles will add yet another touch of sensuality to the feel of the bedroom.

Decoration

If you are decorating for intimacy, you want to be careful about the kind of accessories you choose to display in the setting. You want every item in the room to be beautiful. Ugly or tacky images will be a distraction that can ruin the mood of the entire space.

Certain kinds of art are wonderful accents for an erotic setting. Try to find pieces that are lovely to the point of being inspirational. Seeing landscapes, portraits, portrayals of beautiful bodies or of nature can prime a human's subconscious, readying it for intimacy. Avoid any work that is violent, or overly bizarre, as it will only take attention away from the room's sensuality.

You don't want to decorate with objects that directly turn you on. Instead you should try and find things that touch you in a subtle way, stirring emotions rather then pure lust. If you do choose to incorporate erotic pieces into your décor, try and be tasteful in your choices. Tribal fertility art or renaissance body portraits are one way to add sexy decorative items to a room in an understated and elegant manner.

Furniture

The most important piece of furniture in a bedroom is, of course, the bed. In an intimate setting this piece will almost certainly be the focus of the room. You want your bed to be both comfortable and beautiful. You want it to be a setting that will inspire you, and make you feel relaxed enough to let down your inhibitions and be yourself.

You can think of the bed as a canvas, and use sheets, pillows, and blankets to paint your scene. Use colors that make you feel sexy. Pay attention to your feelings as you try different sheets and comforters in different ways. Purchasing satin or silk bedding can be an easy way to instantly make the bed a sensual centerpiece.

A simple trick to increase the perception of intimacy in a room is to get rid of your box spring. By lowering your mattress to the floor, you will make the room feel closer. You can surround the bed with short night tables, and move larger furniture such as dressers against the wall, to complete the feeling of intimacy. Now the room focuses in three dimensions on one spot. Climb into the bed with a partner and you will almost feel the room itself funneling the two of you together.

An intimate center piece can also be created around a bed by building a simple canopy. Nail pieces of 1x2 to the ceiling around your bed, making sure to secure them into studs. Then simply staple some gauzy fabric to the border of this frame, creating pleats as you do. A canopy can be a private little cove where two lovers can be alone from the rest of the world.

The creation of an intimate bedroom is totally dependent on your specific taste. You have to feel comfortable and sexy in a room, before you can expect anyone else to. As such, you should experiment with colors, lighting, and accessories, to create a setting which is both calming and exciting. Don't be afraid to change the look or feel of a space. You're enjoyment is the ultimate measure of your decorating success.

Copyright Joey Lewitin 2005 - This article free for reprint as long as it contains a resource box with the name of the author and a clickable link.

Decorating a Romantic Room

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